In these days, when we are all mourning the loss of our beloved Greatest Holy Leaf, Shoghi
Effendi's sole comfort is to see the friends as ever
devoted and active and striving day and night to
promote the teachings of the Cause.

2

However cruel our separation from Bahíyyih
Khánum may be, especially at a time when her
presence among us was such a source of inspiration
and strength, yet we feel confident that from her
Heavenly Retreat she is sending us her blessings
and is quickening our weary souls.

3

Concerning the suspension of festivities for a
period of nine months it should be made clear that
what is meant by this is that all gatherings, whether
outdoor or indoor, which are not of a strictly
devotional character should be abolished all
through the period of our mourning. However,
meetings and services that are wholly spiritual as
well as those that are necessary for the carrying on
of the administration should continue to be held as
usual.